SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 417, 13 October 1875, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

LiTTTELTON BOROUGH SCHOOL. This meeting was held at the appointed time on Monday night. There was only a small attendance. Mr 0. A. Rich read a communication from the Deputy-Superin-tendent appointing him as chairman of the meeting and returning officer if necessary. The minutes of the former annual meeting having been confirmed, The deputy-chairman of the committee, Dr Donald, read the following report:— " As required by the Education Ordinance the committee at the expiration of their term of office have to make to their constituents a report of the proceedings of the past year. The circumstance of greatest importance is doubtless the construction and occupation of the buildings in which we art now assembled, architecturally a credit and ornament to the town, and well adapted as far as its capacity permits, for the accommodation of teachers and children. It was confidently believed that the erection of a building worthy of the great purpose of education, and adapted for the purposes of classifying the children, and of using all modern improvements in the practice of instruction, would considerably increase the number of scholars; but the most sanguine among us had never hoped for the measure of success that has resulted in the great and increasing number of pupils attending the school. At the time of our adopting the Government system the number attending the so-called denominational schools was little over 200; since occupying the present site the number has reached 624. Great fluctuations have necessarily occurred owing

to winter weather and the prevalence of epidemic diseases, and at one time it became necessary to close the school owing to the almost universality of measles. The committee have reason to believe that the progress of the children has been quite satisfactory. They consider themselves particularly fortunate in their selection of a head master. Mr Edge has their entire confidence, and all teachers employed have their approval. It may be stated that at the recent examination of the scholars the Government inspector ppoke in most flattering terms of the deportment, appearance, and attainments of the children, remarking on the satisfactory progress in each department, and drawing special attention to the satisfactory work done by the pupil teachers under direction of the several masters. At the close of the last year, 1874, the committee were kindly presented with considerable donations by the Mayor and by the Borough Council, and also by the Oity of Norwich Lodge of Oddfellows for prizes for the children. Besides expressing their gratitude for this liberality, the committee hope they recognise an acknowledgment from those most interested of the success of the school work. It became evident soon after the schools were started in this building that the rooms, large as they are, were too small for the demands of space made by the unexpected increase of numbers, and it was conceded by the Education Board, then in office, that an additional building for the younger children should be constructed. The Borough Council at once agreed to cede a portion of their reserve for the necessary enlargement of the site. The Board, as we understood, obtained a grant from the Provincial Council sufficient for the purpose. After much delay, and when it was considered all was arranged, the Minister of Education wrote, stating that he had had the additional land valued, and that for all above six times that amount the ratepayers must pay one-sixth by special rate. The committee demur to both propositions, and a somewhat recriminatory correspondence, which will be read to you, has ensued, leaving the matter still in abeyance. During the year a gymnasium has been constructed in the old Drillshed, for wet-weather exercise and for calisthenic instruction for the girls. It has become necessary to floor this building, and after—as it was understood —the Government sanctioning the expenditure, a proviso is now sought to be introduced by the Minister for Education that one-sixth must be contributed by the ratepayers. You will hear reference made to this in the correspondence. In conclusion the committee, in resigning office, hope that their labors have not been in vain, but thatduring their term of office they have done their best to advance the great cause of education in the borough." The deputy chairman of the committee said he supposed that the auditors would be surprised that they had not been called upon to audit the accounts, and stated the reason was that, by the new Ordinance the Provincial Auditor was appointed to audit the accounts.

The annual balance sheet was then read It was as follows:—Receipts—Balance from October Ist, £3BO 17s; grants for maintenance, £2127 2s lid; household rates, arrears from last year, £133 lis 7d; incidental receipts, £l9 lis 6d ; total, £2661 3s. Expenditure Salaries, £1515 15s Id; buildings, £9lO Is 6d; rent, £3O; incidental expenses, £6l 4s 9d; augmentation grant to Mr Edge, £10; purchase of apparatus and books, £SB 18s 4d; balance in Bank of New Zealand, £124 Is 7d, less cheques not presented, £49 18h 3d —£74 3s 4d; in hand, £1; total, £2661 3s. On the motion of Dr Rouse, seconded by Mr H. Hawkins, the report and balance sheet as read, were received, and on Dr Donald's proposition, seconded by Mr P. Cunningham, the report was adopted. Dr Donald gave an account of the correspondence between the committee and the Minister of Education, with reference to the erection of an infant school, &c, and letters that had passed. He said he was sorry to say that the last letter the committee had sent to the Minister of Education—he referred to the one which had appeared in that morning's Press—had only been forwarded to the Minister of Education that evening, he wished it to be understood that this was an accidental error. They all recollected how at the opening of these schools Mr luglis, then chairman of the Board of Education, spoke of the necessity for more room, and it was certainly understood tnat more would be provided. They were not in fairness boun 1 to contribute a household rate, as land more than equal in value to the one-sixth required had been freely granted by their representatives in the Council as soon as it was asked for. Mr Knight was his personal friend, but he could not call his action in this matter otherwise than obstructive. He thought that the correspondence they had read in the papers between the Minister of Education and other committees tended to strengthen them in this idea. He hoped that the meeting by a vote of approval would testify that they were satisfied with the course the committee had pursued in the matter. [Applause.]

The Rev Mr McGowau would move a vote of thanks to the retiring committee. He thought the community owed them a great debt of gratitude for the course they had pursued. Mr J. S. Willcox, in seconding the resolution, concurred in thinking the committee had taken the most advisable course.

The resolution, on being put, was carried unanimously. The chairman said their next business was to elect a committee to act till next April, to consist of either four, six, or eight members.

Mr Nalder proposed, and Mr McGowan seconded —" That the committee consist of eight members." Carried. Dr Donald proposed. Mr H. R. Webb. That gentleman was absent in Wellington, but had given his consent in writing to be nominated. He had done so much for education that it was their duty to return him.

Mr Weyburn proposed that the committee consist of Messrs H. R. Webb, Nalder, Hawkins, R. Wood, P. Cunningham, H. Allwright, and Drs Donald and Rouse. Mr J. S. Willcox seconded the proposition.

The Rev Mr McGowan proposed Dr McDonald.

Mr Nalder said he was of opinion that new blood should be introduced from time to time in all committees, in order that ratepayers might serve the public in rotation. By this means more general interest would be created. As an old member he could not help being gratified by the terms of approval in which they had been Bpoken of by those they represented, There was one thing that

wanted altering in the Ordinance : more power should be given to the local com inittees. They felt this want of power very much at present. When under the control of the Board they had been met and dealt with in a fair spirit by that body, but now, when such a man as the present Minister of Education was at the head of affairs, a man who would not listen to any argument, but who made up his mind and refused to allow an iota of difference to be made, they did regret they had not more power. He did not know what the effect of the Abolition Bill might be, but he hoped that it. would give more influence to their local committees. It was the duty of all ratepayers to see to this, as they had to pay a portion of the money, and it was their duty to see that it was properly spent. When they first proposed to bring the Ordinance into force in the borough he had opposed it on the ground that the ratepayers would eventually have to bear the whole expense. That time was fast approaching, and they should try to get the power to have the control over the expenditure. As Dr McDonald was. not present, and bis written consent not obtainable, it was ruled by the chairman that he was not eligible for election.

The committee, as proposed by Mr Weyburn, were then elected.

Dr Donald, on behalf of the committee, returned thanks to the ratepayers for reelecting them, He said that he did not thiuk they could elect eight gentlemen who would take a warmer interest in educational matters than they did, and at the same time they were not men to sacrifice the pockets of the ratepayers. It was useless to be silent when one ought to speak. Mr Knight's last letter was certainly not diplomatic. It was angry and petulant. The idea of raising £7 by a household rate in Lyttelton was absurd, as it would be only the 154th part of a shilling to each person. The idea of collecting it could not be seriously entertained. They were not better than their neighbors, but they were the mouthpiece of the ratepayers, and they had spoken plainly and energetically. There were times when pills (not gilt) were needful. He begged to tender the thanks of the committee to the ratepayers for their re-elec-tion.

At a committee meeting held subsequently Mr H. R. Webb was re-elected chairman of committee, and Dr Donald deputy chairman.